2024-03-30 14:45:23
The decisive duel for the championship is not that of FC Bayern and Dortmund. Nevertheless, there is a lot at stake for both of them, especially for BVB, as Effenberg believes.
On Saturday it’s that time again: FC Bayern welcomes Borussia Dortmund for the next edition of the Bundesliga classic (from 6.30 p.m. in the t-online live ticker), which has repeatedly thrilled fans and spectators across generations in the past. The duel between the two big national rivals will take place on matchday 27 and should actually have a decisive character in the fight for the championship in the middle of the crucial phase of the season.
However, the preliminary decision for the title has long been made. Because both teams fell far short of their own expectations. And instead Bayer Leverkusen (70 points) confidently leads the table – ten points ahead of second-placed Bayern (60) and even 20 ahead of BVB (50). An unusual picture. After all, over the past 14 years the champions have always been either Dortmund (2011, 2012) or Bayern.
t-online columnist Stefan Effenberg also emphasized that the duel between the two rivals is no longer the deciding factor in the fight for the championship. “The game still has enormous significance for both teams, especially for Dortmund,” said Effenberg.
Effenberg: “That’s what it’s all about for Bayern against Dortmund”
Why? “BVB is still far from securing a place in the Champions League and still has to fight hard for it,” said Effenberg. But for Bayern it’s also about performing. Now, according to the former captain of the record champions, “the best phase for every footballer is coming when the decisions about the title are made. Bayern want to take away a good feeling for the Champions League and the approaching quarter-finals against Arsenal against Dortmund.” The first leg will take place on April 9th in London, the second leg a week later on the 17th in Munich.
The showdown between Bavaria and BVB is “always very explosive anyway,” said Effenberg. Munich’s new sports director also said on Sky: “There’s a lot at stake for both teams, this time not about the championship. Nevertheless, the game remains electrifying.”
“Dortmund has more pressure, also with a view to their tough remaining program,” Effenberg is certain. After the away game in Munich, Borussia also has to play against Stuttgart, Leverkusen and Leipzig, i.e. all of the top five teams in the league. Leipzig is only one point behind BVB in the table, Stuttgart is already six points ahead. Achieving the minimum goal of the Champions League is no longer a given. Missing out on that would be a worst-case scenario from Dortmund’s perspective. The championship has long since been ticked off for last season’s almost champion and could no longer be mathematically achievable after this match day.
Effenberg: “Bayern is still aiming for the championship”
And what about Bayern, given that they are ten points behind Leverkusen? “They will still have one eye on the championship,” Effenberg is certain. “They certainly won’t say that and keep a low profile, but there is still a small hope.” This is how he knows his Bayern and he remembered the last-minute championships in 2000 and 2001, which he experienced as a player, and the late happy ending for Munich in the championship drama last May on the last match day in Cologne. “They will never give anything away while the opportunity still exists.”
How is this supposed to work? “Now there is the absolute pressure that Bayern knows, but Leverkusen doesn’t in that sense,” explained Effenberg. “Bayer now has a concrete chance of winning three titles, but they can also lose one or two titles.” Just like 24 years ago, when Leverkusen lost the title they thought was certain with a defeat in Unterhaching. The birth of the “Vizekusen” myth, the curse that the “Werkself” now finally wants to break.